buyer requested combined postage

[LaTrucha]

I have some items listed at the mment and a biddr has requested combined postage. It's a pain as I have already boxed everything up (it's china). I also have some dim memory that this is against ebay or paypal rules. Is it? Or do I just want to get out of repackaging everything?

You are not obliged to offer combine postage. But it may hurt your stars if you don't.

If you really don't want to send together I would explain that you've not got the right packaging to send the fragile items safely if all bundled together. Hopefully they will accept that.

Some couriers will offer discounts if several items collected at once, worth checking on for future ref.

I'm sorry I can't type!

If you've already boxed them ready to send I would decline stating so.

You can do combined postage if buyer has purchased a few items, it gives you the option when you send an invoice after the auctions close. You can't change it after buyer has paid though.

It prompts me to buy off sellers who offer combined postage, although I have been out off by people only reducing it by 50p when it would not cost any more than sending just the one item, that's just greedy.

Can't you just get a bigger box and put the packaged items in the bigger box packaged?
You do not 'have' to offer combined postage but most buyers expect it if buying multiple items. You may find yourself with low stars or neg feedback if you do not combine!

I'm afraid I'd pull out of a sale if a seller refused combined postage.

It's a pain if you've already packaged everything, but it's not U on the part of the buyer. I'd take it for granted it would be offered tbh.

You're not supposed to ever take it for granted JustB, that's why traditionally Ebayers made a point of saying whether they offered combined postage. OP would be on good grounds for getting FB removed or altered if it was complaining about combined postage which they never said they'd offer.

With the new fees tariff it is hazardous for sellers to offer anything but inclusive postage; this makes it harder to offer P discounts, though. Really only worth figuring out for business sellers.

Ay, I know that. I suppose because I always do, and wouldn't dream of not doing I assume everyone is the same.

And given the direction the bay is moving in with its rules and regulations resolutely on the part of the buyer, I imagine it won't be long before you have to offer combined postage!

I've nothing really against offering it. I just thought there was a rule that you coouldn't. The thing about the invoice explains it though. Thanks.

I asked a seller if she would combine postage, she said she couldn't as they were all packaged up already, so I said fine, and made sure I paid for each item separate.

there has never been that rule

however it is extremely bad form to say you do not combine postage and then send 3 items in 1 package at considerable saving and not pass at least some of that on

some second hand book sellers make it plain they do not combine as each book is already in packet and they just attach label however they are only charging 75p postage when it costs 69p

if postage is already included as free questions re combined postage are a nonsense

having sold china as a business on ebay can I advise you not to package goods before sale / payment as many people buy more than 1 item as looking for sets and will expect combined postage no-one wants to buy 4 large dinner plates which all cost at least £4.20 by cheapest courier to post (as no plate packed properly will be small parcel size) as 4 parcels so postage is over £17 when combined it would still only be £5-6 to send

if you refuse to combine you will either lose sales or will get marked down for postage charges a seller would not be able to get feedback removed which politely said something like " really nice plates but would be better if seller reduced postage costs by offering combined postage"

if they bid without asking, then they're dumb.

if you listed the items and already wrapped them up before finding out if they'd sell at all..... well, lets just say I wouldn't have done that!!

there are a load of sellers who have free postage (OK, included in the BIN price) and they say no combined discounts, so that's fair enough.

personally, I ALWAYS wrap after payment.